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This has to be the biggest match of the regular season for these two sides as Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades battle it out at the Gabba on Saturday (January 27) with a finals spot up for grabs.

It is the final fixture and with the possibility of one or both the sides qualifying for the semis, this game promises to be a ripper.

Match Preview

The Heat have eight points from their nine games so far and are second from bottom. They come into this game on the back of a nine-day break after their loss last week against the Sydney Sixers. Is it a boon to regroup and respond or a bane to lose your instinct?

There are a lot of dependencies too on the result of the other match between the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars earlier in the day. Should the Hurricanes win, the Heat will need to record a huge win to qualify. If the Stars record a surprise win, the Heat can qualify with a win over the Renegades. But, considering how the Stars have played this season, the Heat will go into the game thinking they need that huge win to qualify.

What about the Renegades? They have ten points from nine matches and are third in the table, ahead of the Hurricanes’ game against the Stars. Should the Renegades win, they will qualify for the finals regardless of the Hurricanes’ result.

In the event of a loss, the Renegades will have to hope for a Hurricanes defeat against the Stars or to make sure that they run the Heat close.

Match Significance

The Heat have a negative run rate (-0.331) right now, which needs a big boost from this match. Among the three, the Renegades (NRR of 0.178) have an advantage of positive run rate over the Hurricanes (NRR of -0.277) and the Heat. Enough said?

Who’s Hot & Who’s Not?

For the Heat, in the injury-induced absence of Chris Lynn (127 runs, SR 162.82), Brendon McCullum (243 runs, avg. 27, SR 139.65) has been leading their charge with ample support from Joe Burns (201 runs) and Alex Ross (174 runs). With Lynn announcing himself to be fit for this clash, that could be a shot in the arm for the hosts.

The Renegades will have to make do without Brad Hodge (appendicitis) and Cameron White (national duty). That puts a lot of pressure on their other batsmen – Marcus Harris (237 runs) and Tom Cooper (197 runs). With the ball, it has been their overseas import Dwayne Bravo (14 wickets) leading them.

Tips and Predictions

The Renegades hold a 6-2 advantage over the Heat in BBL history and are on a five-match winning streak, including a seven-wicket win earlier in the season. But, a must-win scenario and the return of Lynn could tilt the scales in favour of the hosts. Back the Heat at odds of $1.81 (Palmerbet).

The hosts also look good to score more in the first six overs than their counterparts. Back the Heat at odds of $1.60 (Ladbrokes).

How about the Heat captain finding a maximum? Back McCullum to score at least one six at odds of $1.80 (Ladbrokes).